Loropetalum plant named ‘LRD-02-20’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Loropetalum  plant named ‘LRD-02-20’ is disclosed, characterized by its compact, mounded, spreading growth habit; dark black-purple foliage color that persists through summer and winter; dark pink (almost red) flowers in spring; and improved cold hardiness compared to other compact purple-leaf cultivars. The new variety is a  Loropetalum , normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum.

Variety denomination: ‘LRD-02-20’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar ofLoropetalum chinense var. rubrum, a member of the Hamamelidaceae family,hereinafter referred to by its cultivar name ‘LRD-02-20’. This cultivaris grown primarily as an ornamental for landscape use and for use as apotted plant.

The cultivar originated from an open-pollination of Loropetalum chinensevar. rubrum ‘GriffCRL’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,615, in Watkinsville,Ga., in 2020, and was selected from the progeny by continued evaluationfor growth habit, flower, and improved foliage characteristics. Thecultivar ‘LRD-02-20’ originated and was discovered in a cultivatedenvironment in an outdoor nursery in Watkinsville, Ga.

‘LRD-02-20’ has been asexually reproduced by softwood cuttings since2020 in Watkinsville, Ga. The characteristics of the cultivar have beenstable and reproduced true to type in successive vegetative generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘LRD-02-20’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with changes in light,temperature, soil and rainfall without, however, any variance ingenotype.

The following traits have been observed and represent thecharacteristics of the new cultivar. In combination, thesecharacteristics distinguish ‘LRD-02-20’ from all other varieties incommerce known to the inventor:

-   1. Compact, mounded, spreading growth habit.-   2. Lustrous dark black-purple foliage color that persists through    summer and winter.-   3. Dark pink (close to red) flowers in spring.-   4. Improved cold hardiness compared to other compact, purple-leaf    cultivars.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘LRD-02-20’ are comparable to the seed parentin most horticultural characteristics. However, the new variety‘LRD-02-20’ differs in the following:

-   1. ‘LRD-02-20’ has a compact mounded, spreading growth habit,    whereas ‘GriffCRL’ has an overall larger, rounded growth habit.-   2. ‘LRD-02-20’ has dark purple foliage that persists through summer    and winter, whereas ‘GriffCRL’ has duller red-purple foliage that    will become greenish purple in summer and winter.-   3. ‘LRD-02-20’ has dark pink flowers, whereas ‘GriffCRL’ has light    pink flowers.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISONS

Plants of the new cultivar ‘LRD-02-20’ are comparable to the patented,commercial variety Loropetalum ‘PIILC-I’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,534.The two Loropetalum varieties are similar in most horticulturalcharacteristics; however, the new variety ‘LRD-02-20’ differs in thefollowing:

-   1. ‘LRD-02-20’ has dark purple foliage, whereas ‘PIILC-I’ has rich    reddish-purple foliage that is mounding.-   2. ‘LRD-02-20’ has dark pink flowers, whereas ‘PIILC-I’ has bright    pink flowers.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘LRD-02-20’ are comparable to the patented,commercial variety Loropetalum ‘PIILC-III’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,471.The two Loropetalum varieties are similar in most horticulturalcharacteristics; however, the new variety ‘LRD-02-20’ differs in thefollowing:

-   1. ‘LRD-02-20’ has foliage that is dark black-purple with a dark    pink (close to red) flower. ‘PIILC-III’ has foliage that is dark    purplish grey and a moderate purplish red flower.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying illustrations show characteristics of the new cultivarin photographs as true to color as is reasonably possible to make inillustrations of this nature. Colors in the photographs may differslightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanicaldescription which accurately describe the colors of the new Loropetalum.

FIG. 1 illustrates the growth habit of a ‘LRD-02-20’ plant growing in a2-gallon container.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up of the foliage of ‘LRD-02-20’.

FIG. 3 illustrates a close-up of the flowers of ‘LRD-02-20’. Plants areapproximately 1.5 years old.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except where generalterms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. Plants used for thedescription were approximately 2 years old and were grown in a containerunder outdoor conditions in Watkinsville, Ga. Colors are described usingthe Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.).

-   Botanical classification: Loropetalum chinense var. rubrum    ‘LRD-02-20’.

PROPAGATION

-   Type of propagation typically used: Vegetative terminal cuttings.-   Time to initiate roots: About 35 days at 32° C. in summer.-   Number of days to produce a rooted plant in summer: 110 days at 27°    C.-   Root description: Numerous, fine, fibrous and well-branched. Color:    RHS Purple N77B.

PLANT

-   Type of plant: Flowering shrub.-   Age of plant described: 2 years old.-   Container size of the plant described: 22.73 liters.-   Growth habit: Compact, mounded, spreading. Freely branching; pruning    enhances lateral branch development.-   Height: 41 cm.-   Plant spread: 72 cm.-   First year stems:    -   -   Length.—20 to 25 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 1.5 mm.        -   Shape.—Round.        -   Color.—RHS Red-brown N177B.        -   Pubescence.—Heavily stellate.-   Second year stems:    -   -   Length.—30 to 35 cm.        -   Diameter.—3 mm or more.        -   Shape.—Round.        -   Color.—RHS Brown N200A.        -   Pubescence.—None.-   Trunk/main stem diameter: About 2.8 cm at the soil line.-   Trunk/main stem color: RHS Brown N199B.-   Strength: Flexible when young, more easily broken when mature.-   Bark: Exfoliates in flakes beginning on second year stems.-   Internode length: About 1.5 cm.-   Vegetative buds:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate, imbricate.        -   Length.—About 1 mm.        -   Width.—About 1 mm.        -   Color.—RHS Red 187A.        -   Pubescence.—Stellate.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate, simple.        -   Average length.—2.8 cm.        -   Average width.—1.5 cm.        -   Shape of blade.—Ovate, rounded.        -   Apex.—Pointed.        -   Base.—Oblique.        -   Margin.—Finely-toothed.        -   Texture of top surface.—Stellate or sandpaper-like            pubescence.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Stellate or sandpaper-like            pubescence.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: RHS Purplish-Pink N186C.            Young foliage under side: RHS Purple N77B. Mature foliage            upper side: RHS Purplish-Pink N186B. Mature foliage under            side: RHS Purplish-Pink N187B.        -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Color, young foliage, upper side:            RHS Purplish-Pink N186C. Color, young foliage, under side:            RHS Purple N77B. Color, mature foliage upper side: RHS            Purplish-Pink N186A. Color, mature foliage under side: RHS            Purple N77C.        -   Petiole.—Length: 3.5 mm. Diameter: 1 mm. Color: RHS            Purplish-Pink N186C. Pubescence: Stellate.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Flowers are produced in April in    Watkinsville, Ga., and sporadically until frost. An inflorescence is    showy for about two weeks, and individual flowers last about 2 to 3    days.-   Inflorescence and flower type and habit: Umbel produced terminally    and from leaf axils.-   Inflorescence shape: 4 to 5 strap-like petals forming a loose    funnel.-   Quantity of florets per inflorescence: 4 to 8.-   Persistence: Self-Cleaning.-   Fragrance: None.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Arrangement.—4 to 8 flowers from globose heads on branchlet            terminals.        -   Shape.—Orbicular.        -   Length.—4 mm.        -   Diameter.—2 mm.        -   Color.—RHS Red 185B.-   Petals:    -   -   Quantity per flower.—4.        -   Shape.—Strap-shaped.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Length.—1.2 cm.        -   Width.—1.5 mm.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Obtuse.        -   Color.—Upper surface: RHS Purple-Red 60D. Lower surface: RHS            Purple-Red 60D.-   Sepals:    -   -   Quantity per flower.—4.        -   Texture.—Pubescent.        -   Arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Shape.—Ovate.        -   Length.—0.32 cm.        -   Width.—0.2 cm.        -   Apex.—Acute to obtuse turning outward.        -   Base.—Fused onto calyx cup.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Color.—Upper side: RHS Purple-Red 64A. Under side: RHS            Purple-Red 59A.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—About 8 mm.        -   Diameter.—About 1 mm.        -   Texture.—Stellate.        -   Color.—RHS Purplish-Pink N186C.-   Calyx:    -   -   Length.—About 3.5 mm.        -   Diameter.—About 2 mm.        -   Color.—RHS Purplish-Pink 185B, both surfaces.        -   Pubescence.—Stellate.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—4 or 5.        -   Length.—1.5 mm.        -   Width.—0.3 mm.        -   Color.—RHS Red-Purple N77A.        -   Pollen.—Amount: Scant. Color: RHS Pale Yellow 158A.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—1 or 2 inferior pistils per flower.        -   Length.—Approximately 2 mm.        -   Color.—RHS Purplish-Red 71A.        -   Style.—Length: 1 mm. Color: RHS Purplish-Red 71A.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Rounded. Color: RHS Purplish-Red 71A. Ovary:            Length: 1 mm. Width: 1 mm. Color: RHS Purple 80A.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Temperature tolerance: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2012): Zone 7    to 9.-   Fruits and seeds: Not observed to date.-   Disease/pest resistance: Plants of the claimed Lorapetalum cultivar    grown in the garden have not been noted to be susceptible or    resistant to pathogens and pests common to Loropetalum.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Loropetalum plantnamed ‘LRD-02-20’ as herein illustrated and described.